In an interesting match up, both teams will feel they have a great opportunity to pick up a much-needed win.
Portland vs Minnesota Game Winner
Minnesota have now gone six games in all competitions without a win. Alternating defeats and draws since a 4-0 hammering in the US Open Cup at the hands of Houston.
Portland aren’t able to boast much better form. Their only win in the last eight league fixtures came four games ago.
Minnesota have drawn five of their seven home games. Between them the two sides have drawn six of their last eight respective home and away fixtures. Starting our predictions for this match by backing the draw is the value pick.
Handicap Predictions
Minnesota have only won one of their seven home games so far. So being able to take the visitors on a plus handicap is always a worthwhile addition to your picks.
The odds available mean we are unable to take Portland on a full handicap but we can back them on the +0.25 Asian Handicap.
This means half our stake goes on +0.5, with either a draw or Portland win making that a successful bet. The other half goes on 0 Asian Handicap meaning if the game ends in a draw that part of the bet will be refunded to us.
Correct Score Prediction
The last meeting between these two sides here ended in an astonishing 4-4 draw. We shouldn’t expect such an explosive game this time round but recent results of the two sides point to one of two correct scores.
Minnesota have drawn their last two home games 1-1. With Portland’s last two road trips ending goalless.
I think both sides can get on the scoresheet here so will add the 1-1 draw to my tips for this fixture.
1×2 Predictions
Minnesota holds the key to the outcome of this game. It is impossible to have any confidence in a side that has only won one of its seven home games so far this season.
Equally, the Loons are tough to beat having only been defeated once in front of their own fans.
Given the visitors have only tasted success once away from home this season in 10 attempts the stats point to the draw being the value play.
Over/Under Predictions
Draw specialists Minnesota have seen just an evenly split 12 goals in their seven home games. Six of those seven fixtures featured under 2.5 goals.
Visitors Portland have kept things tight on their travels in recent times. Three of their last four away games have ended goalless.
Under 2.5 goals is the strongest of all the tips in this game.
Our Analysis of the Portland vs Minnesota Game
The 14-day break between Minnesota’s 17th and 18th game of the season looked to have worked some magic.
Goals on 27 and 39 minutes put The Loons in control at Real Salt Lake. But having conceded an equaliser in the eighth minute of stoppage time their run without a win was extended to six games.
Sitting in 12th place doesn’t look good on the eye but Adrian Heath’s men do have games in hand on most sides above them.
They will need to start winning their home games if they are to replicate last season’s achievement of making the playoffs. The return of key man Emanuel Reynoso could be crucial in that.
After just one win from their last eight league games Portland are now outside the playoff places in the Western Conference. Giovanni Savarese has been pleased with his side’s performances but described the results as a “Disaster”.
Top Scorers Predictions for Portland vs Minnesota Game
After missing Minnesota’s first 15 matches of the MLS season following a preseason suspension, Emanuel Reynoso is back.
Two appearances off the bench eased the Argentinian in before making his first start AND scoring his first goal in the 2-2 draw at Real Salt Lake.
The 27-year-old is one of the best players in the MLS. He has scored 19 goals and provided 22 assists in 79 appearances since joining Minnesota midway through the 2020 season from Boca Juniors.
His return drew comparisons from his manager to an NBA icon. “You think the Lakers are better with Lebron on the field? I think so.”
After that build up, I’m getting Reynoso on-side in this one.
Our prediction for the winning team
Minnesota are priced up as favourites here. They are hard to beat at home, suffering just one defeat from their seven MLS games played.
The expectation is that the returning Reynoso will fire his side somewhere close to the 6th-placed finish of last season.
When both sides see this as a very winnable fixture it brings any result into play.
However with a total of nine draws from a combined 17 respective home and away games the stalemate is the favoured outcome.
Last results of the teams
Minnesota have alternated between losing and drawing their last four games. Defeats at Austin and Montreal by 2-1 and 4-0 respectively were split by a 1-1 draw at home to Toronto. Before the 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake last time out.
A rare Portland win at home to Dallas 2-1 was followed by a 0-0 draw at San Jose and a home defeat to Chicago Fire. Drawing 1-1 with New York City in their last game.
Portland vs Minnesota Game Odds
- Minnesota to Win at 11/10 with Bet9ja
- Draw at 5/2 with Bet9ja
